The Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA) represents major domestic drug companies has expressed concern over a recent directive from the government which bans medical representatives from visiting government hospitals.
The IPA made a formal representation to the Ministry of Health and the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) regarding the DGHS directives.
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The IPA indicated that an outright ban of medical representatives would have serious adverse impact on the flow of important medical information, in areas such as new therapies, complex generics and biologics, between the products industry and healthcare providers.
Sudarshan Jain, secretary general, IPA said "Guidelines have been laid between medical practitioner and industry interactions in Uniform Code of Marketing Practices and these interactions can be structured in hospital settings by allocating days and time for interactions."
The IPA noted that this ban could curtail sectoral growth and result in loss of job across the medical field. In its representations to the government, the IPA requested that the government adopt a structured model for MR engagement, by allowing MRs to meet healthcare professionals on specified days and in specified time slots, while continuing to adhere to the Uniform Code of Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP).
The IPA indicated that it anticipates an ongoing relationship with the government that results in a balanced environment regarding ethical engagement in the pharmaceutical marketing profession and continued access to the latest advances in clinical medicine for both doctors and their patients.
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